So you want to try that cycling thing you heard so much about. It saves gas money, improves traffic congestion and air quality, and on top of that, it's healthy. What do you need to do?

Get a Bike

Do you or someone you know have an unused bike lying around in the garage? If it fits you, and it is or can be made ridable, it'll be a good entry-level bike, and later on you might want to convert it into a winter bike. Bike sizing has turned into a science, and if you're going to spend serious money on a bicycle you should make sure you get your bike dealer to help you pick the right size. But for now, all you have to do is check if the stand over height is about right: if you stand astride over the bicycle, there should be between 5 and 8 cm between the top tube and your crotch. If you're dealing with a step-through (women's) bicycle, stand over height doesn't apply. For all kinds of bicycle you should make sure that the seat can be adjusted to the proper height. To figure this out, sit straight on the seat, heel on the pedal, and put the pedal in the down position so that the crank arm is parallel to the seat tube. Your leg should be completely straight. If you can't reach the pedal with your heel even if the seat is all the way down, the bike is too big for you. If you have to pull the seat post out too far, it is too small. Of course, it's also important that you can comfortably reach the handlebar!

New Bikes

If you want a brand new ride, head over to one of Calgary's local bike shops and let them help you. A few local bike shops also list their inventory on Bicycle Peddler.

Used Bikes

If you don't already have access to a bike, and you can't or don't want to buy a new bike, you have options:

• The Good Life is a community bike shop that fixes up used bikes and sells them for cheap. You can also use the shop (for a small donation) to work on your own bike.
• Search Bicycle Peddler, Craigslist or Kijiji for used bicycles. A word of warning, though: You usually you can't tell if the bike you see online is your size, or what condition it's in. You also run the risk of buying a bike that's been stolen.
• Sometimes people advertise used bikes on Bike Calgary forums.
• Check when the next Calgary Bike Swap is taking place.
• The City of Calgary sometimes sells unclaimed lost/stolen bicycles in their Manchester Surplus Store.

Make Sure your Bike's Safe to Ride

Before you take your bike on the pathway or the street, you should make sure it's safe to ride. First of all, it should (still) fit you (see above). But it should also be in decent shape mechanically. You don't want the brakes to give out or the chain to fall off, and it should satisfy the legal requirements. Your best bet is to take it to a local bike shop and have it tuned up. That costs on the order of $50, and you'll be safe in the knowledge that a trained professional has made sure your bike is in good working order. By law, your bike needs a red rear reflector, a working brake, and a bell. If you are going to ride between sunset and sunrise, you also need a set of lights (front and rear). You might want to consider getting a helmet and cycling gloves.

Get Comfortable Riding

Take the time to familiarize yourself with Alberta cycling laws and safety tips, for instance on our Laws and Safety page. Now you're ready! Use the resources listed on the Pathways and Maps page to plan your route. Maybe you want to start with Calgary's multi-use pathways before you graduate to riding in traffic. Ask in the Bike Riding in Calgary forums about good routes that match your level of confidence. Many Bike Calgary members are comfortable riding on busy streets, but they also know the neighborhoods and shortcuts and can tell you which routes have lower traffic, where to watch out, and how to make the best use of the pathway system. Post in the Bike Buddy forum, and perhaps someone has a similar route and can show you the ropes.

If you'd like to get more comfortable riding on Calgary's streets, take our Urban Cycling Skills course.

Get Involved

• Help out Bike Calgary
• Learn about local cycling clubs
• Visit Bike Calgary forums regularly
• Check out bike events (see calendar)
  • Bike to Work day
  • Ride bike to work for Commuter Challenge
  • Cyclepalooza

If you have been in an accident or a confrontation with a driver, see here:

• When Things go South

Consider taking Bike Calgary's one-day Urban Cycling Skills course!

Cycling Safely

There are many websites and books that deal with bicycle safety and tips for safe riding in traffic (see the Reading Room). For a good introduction that is tailored to the situation in Calgary, start with the City's Cycling Safety Handbook. Download it, and read it. Here's the short of it:

• Make sure your bike is in good working order (especially the brakes).
• Have front and rear lights on your bike if you ride at dusk, night, or in low visibility conditions (rain, fog).
• Keep a safe distance from the curb and parked cars.
• Ride predictably, in a straight line, and use proper hand signals to indicate turns and lane changes.
• Stay off the sidewalk.
• Stop for stop signs and red lights, and always yield to pedestrians.
• Be alert and careful at intersections, where most collisions happen.
• Always ride with traffic, on the right side of the road.

Equipment

You should have functioning equipment. Nothing's going to help you if your brake cables tear or your chain falls off at a critical moment. So make sure your bike is well maintained, check your brakes and tire pressure before you leave, and if something doesn't feel right, fix it right away (or have it fixed by a professional). The single most important safety aspect when it comes to cycling in traffic is visibility. When you're riding at night or in low visibility conditions (rain, snow, low light), it is imperative that you have functioning lights. The law requires you to have at least one (but not more than two) white headlights and a red rear light, as well as a red rear reflector. Reflectors in the spokes and on the pedals aren't a bad idea, either. Reflective strips on clothing, packs, ankle straps, are also useful. But remember that on the pathway, there's no windshield between your blaring flashing headlight and other pathway users—so be courteous and turn your lights to steady mode and angle them down. It's a good idea to wear a cycling helmet. It's not required by law, unless you're under 18. Make sure your helmet fits you properly and meets industry safety standards.

Where (Not) to Ride

It is probably obvious that you are safer on quiet neighborhood streets than on busy streets, safer on pathways and in bike lanes than when riding in traffic. Check the route maps to find a suitable cycling route for you. When you are riding in traffic, go in a straight line (no dodging between parked cars) and keep to the right as much as possible but:

• Keep a safe distance from sewer grates and roadside debris (0.5–1 m from curb).
• Keep a safe distance from parked cars (1.5-2.0 m) to avoid getting "doored".
• If necessary, "take the lane", i.e., ride in the middle of the lane, to discourage cars from passing you too closely. If a car could not safely pass you in your lane when you're riding a safe distance from the curb, it shouldn't, and you should not encourage them to do so by hugging the curb.
• Stay out of right turn only lanes when continuing straight, and make left turns from the proper lane.

Sidewalks and Pathways

Famously, Calgary has one of North America's most extensive pathway networks in North America. Pathways are a relatively safe place to ride a bicycle, as there are no cars (except where pathways cross roads) and pathways are also never adjacent to building entrances or parked cars.  Because pathways are, for the most part, shared with pedestrians (and skaters and runners), you still must exercise caution when using them, especially at night. You should be especially careful when crossing a roadway.  On a bicycle, you do not automatically have the right of way over vehicles on the road you're crossing, unlike as a pedestrian.  If you dismount and walk your bike across an intersection, you're a pedestrian, and have the right of way.  Note that speed on pathways is limited to 20 km/h. 

On the other hand, it is in general dangerous to ride your bicycle on sidewalks, especially where sidewalks cross streets at every block, there are driveways, building entrances, and parked cars. You're liable to hit or get run into by a pedestrian, get hit by an opening car door on the passenger side, or get hit by a car if you bike through crosswalks (drivers can't see you behind the parked cars, won't expect a fast approaching bicycle, and you'll likely be in their blind spot if they turn right across the crosswalk). A very high percentage of car-bike collisions happen at intersections when the cyclist is coming off the sidewalk. In Calgary, it's illegal to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk (unless it's a designated pathway, you are under 14 years old, are delivering newspapers, or are a Peace Officer on duty).

How do you tell if something's a pathway (ok to ride) or a sidewalk that's not a pathway (not ok to ride)?  It's not always obvious, but:

• If the City's pathway map says so, it's a pathway.
• If there's a pale blue sign showing a pedestrian above a bicycle, it's a pathway.
• If it's a walkway on a bridge or overpass that's connected to a pathway, it's a pathway (that includes overpasses at LRT stations and practically all river bidges).
• If it has a yellow line down the middle, it's a pathway.
• If it is not adjacent to a road, especially when it's in a park, it's (very likely) a pathway.
• If it is adjacent to a road, especially when there are parked cars, or immediatey adjacent to buildings, it's (very likely) a sidewalk.

Always obey posted signs, speed limits, and again: be very careful at intersections: motorists won't look for you, sometimes won't be able to see you, and you do not automatically have the right of way in crosswalks like pedestrians do.

Intersections

Intersections are where most collisions happen. The most common types of collisions are the "left cross" and the "right hook". In "right hook" collisions, a cyclist gets hit by a car turning right; in "left cross" collisions by a motorist making a left turn across the cyclist's path.  To avoid them:

• Position yourself in the centre of the through lane: cars turning right are less likely to pass and turn in front of you, and you're more visible to mtorists coming at you and turning left
• Stay out of crosswalks as much as possible, but proceed through the intersection as you would in a car
• Be especially careful when crossing from a pathway that runs on the left side of the road.  Even though you may have a green light, motorists waiting to make a right turn on red will be looking the other way for cross traffic.

Pathways

Cycling on pathways is subject to very much the same rules as regular traffic. You should:

• Stay on the right, except when overtaking or passing
• Travel at a safe speed, but in any case under the speed limit of 20 km (10 km in some areas)
• Don't pass until safe (and never in a tunnel or underpass)
• Announce your approach by voice ("on your left!") or ringing your bell (but don't startle people)
• Yield to the right at pathway intersections
• White front and red rear light when it's dark to see and be seen (as a courtesy to other pathway users, angle your headlight down and set lights to steady on the pathway)

There are numerous resources online to learn about cycling safety, whether you're riding on shared pathways or on the roads. 

• City of Calgary's On-street Cycling Safety Handbook
• CAN-BIKE Safety Tips
• Bike Calgary Urban Cycling Skills Course
• League of American Bicyclists - Traffic Skills 101
• Bicycling Street Smarts
• How Not to Get Hit by Cars

Cycling Law

The regulations governing cycling in Calgary are:

• Traffic Safety Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. T-6(TSA)
• Vehicle Equipment Regulation, Alta. Reg. 122/2009 (VER)
• Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation, Alta. Reg. 304/2002 (RR)
• City of Calgary Traffic Bylaw, 26M96 (TBl) and
• City of Calgary Parks and Pathways Bylaw, 20M2003 (PPBl)

According to these rules and regulations,

• Bicyclists have all the rights and are subject to all the duties of a motorist (RR 75, TBl 41)
• Cyclists must not ride on sidewalks (TBl 42(1))
• Bicycles must travel single file (RR 78(a))
• Bicycles must be equipped with a horn or bell (VER 60, PPBl 44(b)), a brake (VER 113(2); PPBl 44(a)), and, if operated at night, a white headlight, a red taillight and a red rear reflector (VER 113(1), PPBl 44(c)). The lights must be on at night or when visibility is less than 150 m (RR 55(1), PPBl 45(a)). ("Night" means 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise on pathways, and 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise on the roads.)
• Cyclists must ride as close as practicable (i.e., safe and legal) to the right curb (RR 77(1); or left curb if on a one-way street (RR 77(2))
• Bicycles count as High Occupancy Vehicles (TBL 2(q.2)) and are therefore entitled to the use of HOV lanes.

Comments? Questions?

Calgary has an extensive network of multi-user pathways (MUPs), which are reserved for pedestrians and cyclists, and on-street bikeways, which are streets designated as bike routes. Some bikeways are merely indicated by signs, some have wide curb lanes and bike sharrows, and some have painted bike lanes. The network of pathways and bikeways can be found in the City of Calgary's Pathways and Bikeways map. The map is available in several formats:

Printed Maps

The City of Calgary Parks Department publishes a printed pathway and bikeway map, available for free at the City's Aquatic and Fitness Centres, at the City's two Leisure Centres (Southland in the SE, Village Square in the NE), as well as the map's sponsors

• B&P Cycle (Forest Lawn),
• Campione (Beltline), and
• Patagonia (downtown).

Bike Calgary usually also has maps available at info tables.

Other printed maps are available as well, both for Calgary and for the surrounding areas. Ask your local bike shop to see if they have some for sale.

Electronic Maps

The pathways and bikeways map can be downloaded as a (large) PDF file from the City of Calgary Parks website. The site also provides downloadable maps of specific areas, such as Downtown, Nose Hill, and Edworthy Park.  An interactive map is also available.

Ride the City Calgary is the best cycing-specific routing website and application. It offers routing based on desired safety of the route, lets you save, print, and email routes, and rate routes and route segments to improve suggestions.  It also comes with apps for both iPhone and Android. Both Ride the City and Bike Calgary volunteers take feedback on routes computed by Ride the City Calgary: instructions on how to improve Ride the City.

There are four apps for smarthpones: 

• City of Calgary pathway app published by the City of Calgary (no directions)
• bike yyc app published by flipp.ca (based on Open Street Maps, includes directions)
• Ride the City iOs app
• Ride the City Android app

Ride the City and the bike yyc iPhone app are based on bike path and lane data in Open Street Map, an open alternative to Google and other commercial map providers.  It can be freely edited by users, much like Wikipedia.  The map data from OSM is also used by OpenCycleMap.org. For route planning based on OSM, alternatives to Ride the City are are CloudMade or BBBike @ Calgary.

Google Maps

The data used for the City's interactive map is also shared with Google Maps, and Google Maps has a "bicycling" option that displays bike routes and pathways in green. Google Maps will also calculate directions for cycling.  You should check the city's website in any case for closures and detours.

Pathway Closures

The City of Calgary Parks Department lists closed pathway and detours (with maps) on their Pathway Closures page.

Alternate Routes

Pathways and bikeways are often not the best way to get from point A to point B, or it takes trial and error to find the best route. Take advantage of other cyclists' experience by scanning or asking in the Bike Riding in Calgary forums. Check out Calgary cycling routes posted on Bikely.com or Mapmyride.com or map your own.

Questions or comments about maps? Post in the bikeway maps forum.

Has Your Bicycle Been Stolen?

In 2010, 1,052 bicycles were reported stolen in Calgary.  In 2011, that number rose 13% to 1,191, and in 2012 another 17% to 1,398. Many bike thefts go unreported, so the true number of bicycle thefts in Calgary is certainly quite a bit higher. The Calgary Police Department recovered 137 bicycles in 2012 as lost or stolen. 

• File a police report. If your bicycle has been stolen, the best chance you have of recovering it is by reporting the theft to the police.
• If there are suspects or investigative follow-up is required (e.g., if the area where you locked your bike is covered by video surveillance or if there are witnesses), report your stolen bike by calling the Calgary Police Department non-emergency line (403-266-1234) or visit a district office. 
• Otherwise, and if your bike was worth less than $5,000, you can report the theft online.  You can also report theft of parts and vandalism using the online system.
• File a stolen bike report on our site. (You have to be registered & logged in to do that, but it's free and usually quick). We'll tweet your bike report and the Good Life Bike Shop will post it.  Other bike shops may follow suit: you can see all stolen bike reports here and there's an RSS feed of stolen bike reports here.
• Your bicycle may show up on classifieds listings, so it may be worthwhile to check craigslist or kijiji.  In rare cases people have recovered bikes after posting flyers with pictures around the neighborhood. Check out the Good Life's tips, too.

Information useful for reporting and recovering your bicycle which you should keep in a safe place, and have on hand when reporting a bike theft:

• Serial number of your bicycle (usually stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket, and recorded on your sales receipt if the bike was purchased new in a reputable bike shop),
• proof of ownership (sales receipt or repair receipts), and
• description of bicycle and parts (preferably a photo) -- make, model, colour, any installed accessories or distinguishing marks.

You may also consider registering your bike. Although Calgary Police does not check recovered bicycles against bikerevolution.ca as a matter of course, they may do so in the future, or your bike may end up in another jurisdiction where police do use that site. Calgary Police do use the Stolen Vehicle and Bicycle database of the Canadian Police Information Centre, though, both to record bikes reported stolen and to locate owners of recovered bicycles.

You should also contact your home owner's or tenant's insurance and inquire about an endorsement for your bicycle(s), if their replacement cost is high enough.

How to Lock a Bike

Fight bike theft by making it more difficult to steal bicycles. If you're going to leave your bike unattended for any period of time, even for just a minute, it should be locked. And if you don't want it stolen, it should be locked properly.

• Always lock the frame to a stationary object, preferably a bike rack. Don't lock your bike to wooden objects, street signs that aren't securely bolted to the ground, movable objects, or handrails (that's rude).
• Keep your bike locked to something even when it's in your garage or backyard!
• Use a secure lock, such as a U-lock or heavy duty chain made from hardened steel. Cables, regular padlocks found in hardware stores, and cheap cable locks can be cut very easily and in a matter of seconds.
• Use a cable to secure your wheels (and saddle).
• If you can't find a decent place to lock up your bicycle at your destination, contact the city to request a bike rack.

Your trusted local bike dealer can help you select the hardware and show you how to use it. You'll also find lots of info on the internet, e.g., from the SF Bicycle Coalition.

Comments? Questions? Post in the Stolen Bike forum.

Bike Parking at C-Train Stations

Calgary Transit rents out bike lockers at selected C-Train stations. Racks are available at most C-Train stations

Bike Parking Facilities Downtown

• The Calgary Parking Authority has secure bike parking facilities at Centennial Parkade (9th Ave/5th St) and City Centre Parkade (10th Ave/4th St). Cost is 10$ per month plus key deposit.
• Bankers Court (9th Ave/2 St) has a bike room with 50 spaces. Access is 24/7 via keycard; cost $150/year. Contact Standard Parking: (403) 770 7158, the office is in the loading dock area of Bankers Hall parkade.
• Banker's Hall (not Banker's Court) at P5 of Banker's Hall (315 8 Ave SW), with Access:via the 9th Ave parkade entrance. Has ~50 wall hanger spaces, plus another 30 or so spaces in a rack in the center of the room. Security: the room has concrete walls, and is entered through a single door secured with a shared combination code (very clean room, heavy gauge hardware). Price: after tax, the cost is $157.50. Term: from April 4 - March 31, not pro-rated

Bike Rack Sponsorship Program

If you can't find a decent place to lock up your bicycle at your destination, consider contacting the city to request a bike rack.

See also:

• City of Calgary bike parking info

Comments? Questions? Post in the Bike Parking forum

Bikes on the C-Train

You're allowed to take your bike on the C-Train weekdays outside commute hours (6:30-9 am, and 3-6 pm), and all day weekends. Two bikes are allowed at either end of a car; do not use the center door of a train car. There is no fee to take your bike on the C-Train.

• Calgary Transit info on bikes on trains

Folding Bikes on Transit

• Calgary Transit info on folding bikes

Bike Racks on Buses

Some Calgary Transit buses are equipped with bike racks. Currently, routes with bus racks are:

Route 20: Heritage/Northmount via MRU, Foothills Hospital, and University
Route 36: Chinook/Riverbend [except for Sunday after 6pm]
Route 41: Chinook/Ogden/Lynnwood

Calgary Transit claims that all buses on these routes are equipped with bike racks, but that may not be true: they have admitted that up to one-third of the buses (on the worst day) may go out without a rack. (How many customers would they have if one-third of the C-Trains showed up with a sign saying "out of service"?).

• Calgary Transit info on bike racks
• Bike rack instructions

Here's a video on how to work those bike racks, courtesy of Portland Transit.

(Note: Calgary Transit would like you to put the bike rack up when it's empty.)

The bike racks program will be reviewed in 2011 - if you use it, or you'd like bike racks on other routes, send feedback to Calgary Transit.

Bike Lockers at C-Train Stations

Bike lockers are available to rent at selected C-Train stations, for $72 per 6 months or $132 for a year.

• Calgary Transit info on bike lockers

As the temperature drops and the snow piles up, many fair-weather cyclists store their bikes for the season and choose to get around by either car or public transit. This happens to coincide with times when traffic congestion is at its worst due to poor road conditions. So don’t put your bike away!  Escape the winter traffic jams and avoid waiting for the bus in the cold -- try out riding your bike in the winter.  All it takes is overcoming the fear of cold temperatures and snow on the roads, and a little bit of preparation.  If you winterize your bike to the point that you feel comfortable riding on snowy roads and pathways, and wear the appropriate attire, you will find that winter riding can be a very fulfilling experience.  Even if you can’t bring yourself to ride in arctic temperatures, our chinooks still leave plenty of days in which your main challenge will be not to get too hot.

Benefits

• Traffic and commute time is almost always the same
• A peaceful ride though freshly snow-blanked parks is a nice exhilarating way to start and end your work day.
• Year-round exercise!
• A real sense of brotherhood/sisterhood when you see those other tracks in the snow

Here are some tips to get you started on riding year-round.

Clothing

Body

Layering is the name of the game in the winter.  Dress in layers and record the temperature.  Take a week or two writing down what you wore, how cold it was and how you felt.  After monitoring that for a short time you will be able to wake up in the morning, check the temperature and weather forecast and dress accordingly. The choice of whether to buy cycling-specific clothing or just wear what you have is a matter of personal preference and depends a great deal on how concerned you are with aerodynamics or fashion, and also on when, where, and how far and how fast you ride.  If you see your bike commute as your daily cardio workout or ride for more than 30 minutes, you probably want to spring for some winter-specific cycling wear; if you just ride a few kilometres and don’t usually go too fast, you can probably make do with your regular clothes. It’s also very handy to use general-purpose winter clothes like soft-shell skiing pants/jackets and long underwear over or under your “normal” clothes.

Wind-proof layers are important as the temperature drops. Jackets that allow you to vent them somehow are also good for those days when you’ve worn too much. Generally, you should be able to avoid sweating, at least around your core.

Down to -5°C, a pair of dress pants and long johns will keep you warm enough. If you don’t want to ride in your work clothes, a pair of water resistant cycling pants is a good option.  Wool and polyester are  great fabrics for all layers.  Avoid cotton since it retains moisture and will make you feel clammy. A scarf (or winter cycling jacket with tight-fitting neck) is also nice to have and can make a big difference, especially is there is a breeze.

On really cold days (-15°C and below) you want no skin exposed.  The wind created by riding is enough to make a short commute a very cold one on bare skin, which is usually in and around your face. Balaclavas are good for this and also cover your neck which may eliminate the need for a scarf.  Instead of a balaclava, a neoprene face mask works as well.  The holes in the nose and mouth area help reduce fogging from your breath coming inside and up into your goggles or glasses. There are mixed reactions on eyewear. Fogging is an issue, especially below -15°C. If you wear cycling glasses, clear lenses are suggested. If you feel more comfortable in goggles, then double lens goggles are recommended as they will help reduce the chances of fogging. There is no widely accepted single solution for the issue of glasses fogging up, but as a general rule the more you regulate your temperature the less fogging will occur.

This sounds like a lot to consider, but there aren’t many days when this is required… and those days are no easy feat on the bus or stuck in traffic either. For example in 2010, there were only 5 days with the High below -15 and 29 days where the Low was below -15. On the very cold days (-20°C and below) dress for battle and in layers, remembering that you don’t want to be sweating under your clothes as this will only make you colder when you are stopped at a light.

Hands

In the Fall, early Winter, and during a Chinook, any kind of glove on your hand will do.  As the temperatures drop you will need to start wearing a real winter glove.  Coldness will vary by individual, but in general below -5°C you will need a full-on winter glove to ride.  It goes without saying that on the very cold days you should wear the warmest things possible and mitts are best in this situation.  Lobster mitts are a popular choice for a little extra dexterity.

Alternatively, you can get a set of pogies that attach to your handlebars and over your brake and shift levers--you slide your already gloved hands in there. The benefit of pogies is that they allow you to avoid the need for bulkier winter gloves which some people find cumbersome, especially if you are concerned with being able to get your phone from your pocket or adjust your zipper.

Again, there is no special need to buy cycling specific gloves: regular gloves, or ski gloves/mitts work just as well. Use what you already have and assess your needs.  Just remember that you want to keep the wind out of your hands, and that when it’s dark it’s good to have something reflective on your hands or arms so people can see you signalling.

Feet

Probably the one part of your body that is likely to get cold is your feet.  Wind is the big culprit here.  Solution: keep wind out of your shoes or boots.  A simple plastic bag sometimes will do the trick.  For the most part a good pair of leather boots and wool socks will keep you warm in the Fall and early Winter.  (It’s best if the tongues are stitched in, as this helps to keep the wind out.)

Two pairs of thin socks are better than one pair of thick socks.  Too thick of a sock in your shoes actually does more harm than good.  If your feet are squeezed into your shoes, the blood flow will be constricted and you will get cold feet. During winter snow storms and very cold days, a real pair of winter boots is ideal…and as Canadians we should all have a pair of these in our house already. If you are considering buying new footwear specifically for cycling, get them one size larger than you would normally. This will help keep your feet from getting squished and allow you to wear thicker socks or multiple pairs of socks.

You can also look at replacing the insoles of your boots/shoes with a thicker insulating insole. Insoles like the ones made by HotFeet can make a noticeable difference in warmth. When it's really cold (or if your feet get cold easily), another option is to put a charcoal hand warmer in your shoe or boot. The handwarmers are smaller than the footwarmersand so are a little more comfortable. Make sure you put them outside your socks so you don't burn your skin.

If you ride with clipless pedals, a pair of neoprene overboots will help keep the wind out and may save you from having to buy a pair of winter cycling shoes. Make sure the toe spikes are in good shape; having worn, blunt spikes will not help you if you have to put your foot down suddenly. The best toe spikes, which should fit any cycling shoe, are the Sidi replacement spikess. They have a much sharper profile than regular ones. You may, however, want to swap out clipless pedals for a good solid pair of MTB downhill pedals in the heart of winter in order to keep your feet on the pedals but also be able to easily get them on the ground if the need arises.

Clothing Recommendations:

Body:

• Dress in layers
• Wool and synthetics are better than cotton
• Keep track of temperature, clothing and make adjustments (you’ll quickly find what works for you)
• Keep all skin covered when the temperatures really drop

Hands:

• Thin gloves for fall, thick gloves for winter and mitts for the really cold days
• Lobster or pogies are popular options

Feet:

• Keep the wind out
• Good winter boots are a must in cold temps
• Neoprene overboots are a good option for most winter days.

Bike

Do you need a separate winter bike?  As winter riding does wear down a bike at a quicker rate you may choose to ride a beater during the winter.  Many winter commuters get a cheap used bike for this reason. The main drawback to this is that especially in the winter you want your gears and brakes to work properly, and unless you’re an experienced mechanic this might mean you’re better off with a solid new bike. Single speed bikes are popular as it requires less maintenance than a derailleur, and by riding on a high enough gear the amount of spin on the rear wheel is reduced when on ice. Internally-geared hubs are a good solution if you need gears to get up hills, but don’t want to worry bout your derailleurs freezing or getting worn down.

Winter is hard on the chain and cogs with a lot of gunk collecting on the drive train, especially when the temperature is near freezing. It is therefore important to clean your bike frequently, removing the salt and sand (hot water in a watering-can works well). You will also want to ensure that you oil your chain more frequently in the winter. For brakes, you might want to consider hydraulic disk brakes as they are less likely to ice up.

Fenders

Especially if you are not using a beater bike in the winter, front and rear fenders are a great accessory to minimize the salt wear on your bike while also saving your back and shoes from the muck. Keep in mind that if you have fenders and are getting winter tires you will want to make sure that your tires can fit your fender. Also, snow can collect between your tire and fender so this is also something to take into account when deciding which fender to buy.

Lighting

Good lighting is a must, since in the winter you will often be riding in the dark, and at a time when there are lots of cars on the road.  There are two ways to think of bike lights: those that make you be seen and those that help you see. You likely won’t find that you need to use lights to see in the dark since street lights and pathway lights are very effective.  If you want lights that act as headlights rather than identifiers then don’t go cheap.  Do yourself a favour and spend money on a good set of lights.  For the purpose of lighting to see the ground better choose a light that is at least 150-200 lumens -- this should be sufficient for most out-of-town rides. A 400+ lumen light will let you got fast down Big Hill at midnight.

Rear lighting is a little more straightforward and affordable.  A simple seat post or rack mounted light, either solid or blinking, will do the trick. Don’t use the “turtle” lights except as emergency backup. There are good strobe-style lights for under $10. Having more than one rear light is a great idea, as they break, fall off or stop working.

Batteries die more quickly in the winter so always carry spares or choose a light that is easily rechargeable such as one that plugs into your USB port so you can be assured that you’ll have good strong light every day.

Light Recommendations:

• Easily rechargeable front light
• Simple rear light
• 200 lumens minimum (if needed for vision more than visibility)
• Adjust lights to avoid blinding fellow cyclists (especially 200+ lumen ones)

Studs or No Studs

Whether to outfit your bike with studded tires (“studs”) is also something that comes down to personal preference. Some people have never needed to use them, others swear by them. Your comfort level on snow and ice will likely influence your decision, especially if it is your first season riding in winter conditions, as will the conditions of your commuting route. With the exception of days when it is actually snowing, many pathways and roads are generally clear of snow and ice within a day or two of snowfall, and you may hardly ever need studs. However, if your route takes you along neighborhood streets or uncleared pathways, you’ll face more icy conditions. Additionally, if there is snow lining our route a Chinook followed by a cold night will almost certainly mean black ice in spots.

Studded tires are expensive, and run between $60 and $85 or more each. If you choose to get only one, you want it to be on the front wheel. If your rear tire skids, you can usually get the bike under control easily, but if your front wheel slips out from under you, you’re almost guaranteed to go down.  Many seasoned commuters think that two studded tires is the way to go. Reduce the tire pressure in the rear tire (to between 20-60 psi) when conditions are icy, as this maximizes the grip. If you’re planning on being an “occasional” winter rider, don’t get studded tires: just choose your alternate transportation method on the really icy days.

Studs are superior on ice, but in the case of Calgary, we are more likely to encounter packed snow than ice. Non-studded winter tires (a tire that looks like a winter tire for a vehicle) will perform well on snow and comes without the the noise and added friction of a studded tire.  If you’re going to go with studs, err on the side of more studs, rather than too few (e.g., two rows instead of one). Carbide (rather than steel) will be more expensive but generally work a little better and last a little longer.

Tire Recommendations:

• Studded or not is a personal preference
• For non-studded tires, buy a tire that looks like a car winter tire
• For studded tires a balance between grip, noise and drag must be individually determined

Cautionary Note:

Ice does occasionally become a problem in the spring when warm days melt snow banks and ice sheets form across the pathways. The water freezes at night and turns into “black ice” in the morning.  Be sure to note these wet spots on your ride home and use caution the next morning, especially if it is still dark on your ride in.

How to Ride in the Snow:

Unfortunately the best place to ride in the winter is right on the street.  Cars are natural snowplows.  The busier the street, the clearer it is.  This is a double edged sword in that in order to ride on the clear path, you have to ride amongst the cars.  If you are riding on the road do not compromise by trying to ride on the snow covered shoulder.  Riding there can be very tricky and it is easy to lose your balance and veer into the lane you have left open for cars (or worse, crash).  Instead, it is your right to take the lane, and you should. On heavy snow days you may have no other option but to use the sidewalk in places (legally, you are required to dismount on sidewalks, of course). Citizens are generally better at clearing snow from sidewalks before the city does the street -- side streets and many “designated bike ways” may never get cleared.

You should try to avoid roads where there hasn’t been a lot of traffic.  Cars pack down the snow, but do so unevenly and often not well enough to support skinny tires.  This makes it difficult to accelerate and to hold a straight line, and of course can be dangerous when there’s traffic.  Also, on less travelled streets, a glaze tends to form after a few days.  This can be very slick, but is usually obvious.

On the pathways, bikes will generally wear a line into the path if it hasn’t been cleared already.  For the most part this is the best place to be, but if you feel uneasy riding there (or are the first out after a snowfall), un-tracked snow is usually not very tricky, it just requires more effort.

Riding Recommendations:

• Stick to more heavily travelled roads for a clearer path
• On heavy snow days the sidewalk is sometimes the safest option
• Don’t ride along the snow covered shoulder between the worn path and parked cars/edge of the street (take the lane)
• When in doubt, the un-tracked snow is often less tricky, although requires more effort

Parking

If you don’t want to use the ample outdoor bike racks within the city’s core because you are worried about winter wear or the possibilities that your bike may be stolen and your company does not offer bike storage, there are options to rent covered bike storage space. A standard rate for year round bike parking in the downtown is around $150. You can find more information on bike parking at http://bikecalgary.org/parking.

Final note:

One big benefit of cycling in the winter, and something to always keep in mind, is that there is no rule against stopping at any given café, deli or watering hole to warm up.  It is a very comforting feeling knowing that you can easily stop, get off your bike and open the foggy glass door to busy voices for a cup of hot tea, coffee, or merlot.  Once you are sufficiently warmed up and satiated, you will be ready to continue your journey without complaint.

Useful Links:

• Calgary Area Bicycle Shops, Mechanics, and Rental Services: http://bikecalgary.org/bikeshops
• Winter Biking Basics: http://www.greenlivingonline.com/article/winter-biking-basics
• Bike Warm This Winter: http://darien.patch.com/articles/keeping-warm-while-biking-in-the-winter
• Cycling Through Calgary’s Harsh Winters: http://thegauntlet.ca/story/15938
• Tips for winter bike safety from Fort Collins experts: http://www.collegian.com/index.php/article/2011/11/tips_for_winter_bike_safety_from_fort_collins_experts
• BikeCalgary winter commuting forums: http://bikecalgary.org/forum/38 including this post on number of cold days

B & P Cycle & Sports SE
sales and service — used bikes: yes
mountain, kids, BMX, cruisers, hybrids, comfort, commuter, unicycles, adult trikes, industrial
1717 52 St SE, Calgary, AB, T2A1V1
403-272-7141

Bent Knee Bike Repair SW
service only — call for appointment

335 Brookmere Rd SW, Calgary, AB T2W 2P4
403-818-4738

The Bicycle Cafe Canmore
sales and service — used bikes: yes
mountain, road, and commuter bikes
630 Main St, Canmore, AB, T1W2B5
403-678-3021

BikeBike City Centre
sales, service, rental — used bikes: sometimes
commuter, European, cargo, folding, touring
A-1501 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2T0E2
403-457-2453

Bike Bros Cochrane
sales and service — service by appointment
mountain, road, commuter, comfort, cyclocross, 29ers, kids, bmx
122 - 4 Ave W, Cochrane, AB, T4C1A9
403-932-7010

Bike Root NW
service only — maintenance classes: yes — DIY maintenance shop

2248 Uxbridge Rd NW

The Bike Shop City Centre
sales and service

801 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2R0E6
403-264-0735

BMX Gallery: 4130 City Centre
sales and service — maintenance classes: yes
bmx only
100, 1604 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C0J5
403-264-4900

Bow Cycle NW
sales and service — used bikes: few — maintenance classes: yes — rent high-end wheels, powertap wheels, and travelling cases
mountain, road, cyclocross, city, hybrid, kids, tandems, folding, bmx, cruisers, adult tricycle
6501 Bowness Rd NW, Calgary, AB, T3B0E8
403-288-5422

Cactus Bike & Ski SW
sales and service — used bikes: sometimes
kids, tandems, folding, bmx, cruisers, adult tricycle
9827 Horton Rd SW, Calgary, AB, T2V2X5
403-255-2886

Cal's Cycle Linden
sales, service, rental — used bikes: yes — hours vary, please call ahead
all types
251032B Township Rd 30-4, Linden, AB, T0M1J0
403-546-4007, toll-free: 1-888-546-4017

Calgary Cycle NE
sales and service
high-end mountain bikes
1414 Centre St NE, Calgary, AB, T2E2R9
403-277-3430

Campione Cycles City Centre
sales and service — service first come first served, no appointments
road, track, cross
908 12 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2R0J4
403-228-0022

Continental Tandems City Centre
sales — used bikes: sometimes — tandem test ride centre
tandems only

403-813-1260

Cranked Airdrie
sales and service

507 – 3 Stonegate Dr NW, Airdrie, AB, T4B0N2
403-948-2628

Cyclepath SE
sales and service — maintenance classes: yes
mountain, road, bmx, hybrid, dual sport, commuter, cruisers, kids
9176 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, AB, T2J0P5
403-253-7717

Eurotech Cycle NW
sales and service — service appointments available
road, cyclocross, hybrid, mountain
789 Northmount Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2L0A1
403-289-3063

The Good Life Kensington
sales — used bikes: yes — maintenance classes: yes — DIY maintenance shop

148 10 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N1V5
403-984-4727

Joe's Garage Mobile Bike Repair City Centre
service only — service first come first served but call ahead

Bow River Pathway @ 8 St SW
403-874-JOES (5637)

MechanaHands NW
service only — call or email for appointment
service and sales of parts and accessories
240, 31 Ave NW, Calgary AB, T2M2P2
403-389-3821

Lifesport Kensington
sales and service
29er, road, mountain, commuter, kids
1110 Gladstone Rd NW, Calgary, AB, T2N3E7
403-270-4501

Mission Snow Skate & BMX City Centre
sales and service
bmx only
616 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2S0B4
403-270-7669

Mission Snow Skate & BMX City Centre
sales and service
bmx only
1414 Kensington Rd. N.W.
403-220-0320

Mountain Bike City Ski & Sports SW
sales and service

2707 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T3E0A6
403-686-2453

Mountain Equipment Co-op City Centre
sales and service — maintenance classes: yes — riding classes coming soon
road, mountain, commuter, kids
830 10th Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2R 0A9
403-269-2420

Outlaw Sports SW
sales and service

903 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB, T2V2W8
403-444-5355

Pedalhead Bicycle Works SE
sales and service
mountain, road, commuter, comfort, kids, bmx
202 - 12100 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, AB, T2J7G9
403-225-9621

Power in Motion City Centre
sales and service — unique accessories such as heated vests and gloves, hi-power head light, laser tail light
urban commuter, electric, folding, and cargo bikes, electric bike conversion
Kits
Eau Claire Market, 176 - 200 Barclay Parade SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 4R5
403-233-8841

Pure Cycle SW
sales and service — maintenance classes: yes — hi-power head light, laser tail light, add-on light rope, PowerMeter
all types of bikes
3133 – 150 Millrise Blvd SW, Calgary, AB, T2Y5G7
403-201-4300

Ridley's Cycle Kensington
sales and service — maintenance classes: yes — service by appointment, see website for hours
road, mountain, cross, urban, commuter, kids, triathlon
223 10 St NW, Calgary, AB, T2N1V5
403-283-1421

Sona-Tech Bicycles SE
service only — mobile repair services; SE Calgary only

403-236-8200

Speed Theory City Centre
sales, service, rental — maintenance classes: yes — rent road bikes, race wheels, wet suits, travel cases
road and triathlon bikes
735A 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2R0B3
403-202-1030

Sports Rent NW
service and rental
road and mountain
4424 16 Ave NW Calgary, AB, T2N0M4
403-292-0077

Sports Traders NW
sales and service — used bikes: yes — accepts trade-ins
all types except new road bikes
39 Crowfoot Terr NW, Calgary, AB, T3G4J8
403-547-7747

Tuxedo Source for Sports NE
sales and service
mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, kids bikes, BMX
2520 Centre St N, Calgary, AB, T2E2V2
403-277-2872

University of Calgary Outdoor Centre NW
service and rental — used bikes: few — maintenance classes: yes
mountain, road, cyclocross
B-180 Kinesiology Bldg, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N1N4
403-220-5038

Vitasport Cycles Ltd NW
sales and service
road only
3007 Centre St NW, Calgary, AB, T2E2X2
403-276-5115

Zero Tread NW
sales and service
parts only
online
403-988-9288

• Check out the Elbow Valley Cycling Club if you’d like to go for recreational bike rides in and around Calgary or multi-day tours elsewhere in BC, AB, North America and Europe
• Go to the Good Life community bike shop if you’re looking for a used bike, want to recycle an old bike, or need a place to work on your own bike.
• The Bike Root is a student-run community bike shop at the University of Calgary serving the city’s northwest.
• Every June, the Sustainable Alberta Association hosts the Commuter Challenge--a great way to explore alternative commuting options like cycling to work.
• Open Streets Calgary partners with local festivals to promote active transportation through participatory activities
• Cyclepalooza is a community-driven do-it-yourself bicycle festival held for ten days every June in Calgary.
• Two Wheel View is Calgary-based charity providing bicycle education and expedition programs to young people.
• Do you want a helmet but can't afford one? The Prohab Helmet Society offers bike helmets by donation.
• The Alberta Bike Swap runs one-day bike swaps in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge.
• The Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and improving multi-use non-paved trails in and around Calgary.
• The Alberta Bicycle Association is the provincial sport cycling organization, and is affiliated with many local clubs. Through their Recreation and Transportation Committee, the ABA also deals with cycling safety issues at the provincial level.

This obviously needs work. Please suggest additions and changes in comments!

Official Documents

• City of Calgary Cycle Plan (1996)
• Calgary Pathway & Bikeway Plan (2000)
• Downtown Commuter Cyclist Survey (2006)
• University of Calgary Commuter Cyclist Survey (2009)
• Cycling Strategy Committe and Survey (2010)
• Comprehensive Cycling Startegy (PDF, 2011)
• Cycling Safety Handbook (PDF)
• City of Calgary Mobility Monitor, includes issues on
• Commuter Cycling in Calgary (PDF, 2009)
• Alberta Driver Handbook

General

• All about Cycling

Blogs and Magazines

Local

Elsewhere

• Copenhagen bike culture blog
• Let's "copenhagenize" the rest of the world
• Momentum Magazine for self-propelled people
• Pedal Mag, Canada's on-line magazine

Bike Commuting Tips

• Paul Dorn's Commuting tips
  Excellent multi-page article covering all aspects of bike commuting
• Ten Tips
  from bikecommute.com
• Street Smarts
  from bikexprt.com
• Bike Commuting Tips
  from dahon.com
• stories from California
• Bike commuting on squidoo.com
• How not to get hit by cars, by bicyclesafe.com
• Oregon 2006 Bicyclist Manual (PDF)

Bicycle Advocacy

• Get a shared-use car from Calgary Alternative Transportation Co-op
• Bike planning papers by Richard Drdul
• Bikes Belong
  Coalition of bicycle equipment suppliers to get more bums on bike-seats
• cicle.org
  Los-Angeles based bike advocacy group, with some worldwide news coverage
• commutebybike.com
  New York based bike-commuting advocacy group, with some bike reviews
• cyclemedia.org
• Go By Bicycle
  reasons to travel by bicycle
• Transportation Almanac
  statistics about cars, energy, pollution, bikes and more

Bike Safety

• Dangers of sidewalk riding
  it's actually safer on the road

Filtering

Passing a column of stopped cars on the right or between lanes.

Lane splitting

Riding between lanes.

MUP

Multi-User Pathway, pathways administered by Calgary Parks that are shared by cyclists and pedestrians, e.g., the Bow River pathway.

Running studs

Riding with studded tires

Studs

Studded tires—tires with embedded metal studs to provide extra traction on ice and snow.

Door prize, getting doored

Colliding with the door of a parked car. Best avoided by keeping proper distance from parking lane.